The Falcons move was pretty fucking stupid. They signed Cousins (coming off a major injury) to a mega contract, one which really ties him to the team for 2-3 seasons.
Had they not signed Cousins, drafting a QB in the top-10 makes perfect sense (although I dont believe Penix was a top-10 pick) but once you signed him and paid him that kind of cash, surround the guy with as much talent as possible. Instead they draft a QB with a top-10 pick and that guy almost assuredly wont help the team for 2-3 seasons, if at all.
It is really
a two-year deal. Even though the official contract has an out in 3 years, the Falcons have structured themselves to be able to dump Cousins in 2 years. In other words, they can absorb the hit.
If, for example, they designate Cousins as a
2025 pre 6/1
TRADE (not release) the dead cap hit is 37.5. That is doable. This means they can trade Cousins for a 2030 7th round pick and the cap hit becomes manageable.
If they designate Cousins as a
2026 pre 6/1
TRADE the dead cap hit becomes 25 million. They
SAVE 32.5 Million, which is very doable. This is why I say it is a 2 year deal.
They obviously didn't know Penix would be there. If you can show me that they knew Penix would be there then it would be a stupid move.
I would not be surprised to see Penix the starter as early as next year. Cousins would just become an expensive back up for 1 year.
www.espn.com
